PRIMITIVE MAN

Primitive man, in the true sense of the term, does not exist anywhere at the present time, and the human type, as represented among these primeval peoples, can only be called relatively primitive. Primitiveness in this sense is a lower level, and the starting point for the historical development of human behavior. Material for the psychology of primitive man is provided by data concerning prehistoric man, the peoples situated at the lower levels of cultural development and the comparative psychology of peoples of different cultures. Primitive peoples term is commonly used, admittedly as a conventional label, to designate certain peoples of the uncivilized world, situated at the lower levels of cultural development. It is not entirely right to call these peoples primitive, as a greater or lesser degree of

civilization can unquestionably be observed in all of them. All of them have already emerged from the prehistoric phase of human existence. Some of them have very ancient traditions. Some of them have been influenced by remote and powerful cultures, while the cultural development of others has become degraded. A psychology of primitive man has not yet been created. At present psychological material in this sphere is being accumulated, methods are being elaborated, and, in the words of Thurnwald, ethnographic material is being imbued with a psychological focus. The mechanism of mental activity and the very structure of the processes of thought and behavior are identical in both primitive and civilized man the theory also holds that any peculiarities which distinguish the thought and behavior of primitive man from those of civilized man can be understood and explained in terms of the conditions in which that primitive man lives and thinks. Research also showed that the psychological mechanism of the thought and behavior of primitive man constitute a historical variable. The law of the association of ideas and of the principle of causative thinking certainly do not encompass all aspects of the thinking of primitive man. Lvy-Bruhl was the first who sought to demonstrate that the psychological mechanism of the thinking of primitive and civilized man was different. Many researchers have already noted that this definition is incorrect. Externally, when viewed from the standpoint of civilized man, this

behavior and thinking seem alogical or mystical. Thurnwald writes, Primitive thinking only appears to be alogical. In actual fact, however, from the point of view of primitive man himself, it is quite logical, as Thurnwald explains by a simple example.

Primitive Man wherever he was first cast, whether one centre or in more then one, must of necessity have found his food in the plant world. We cannot imagine him commencing his carrer learned in the arts of hinting, killing, and cooking the lower animals for food. Many infer from this circumstance that argument in the favor of the vegetarian practice is copied direct from nature, signed and delivered by her. Not quite so fast. There is one interposing barrier to free acceptance of vegetrarian deed and act conveyance of food from nature to man. Nature herself, of her own right royal will makes for animals, herbivorous and carnivorous, one distinctive animal food: a secretion of living animal organism

a fluid which is a standard food meat and drink in one the fluid known under the name of milk. Against absolute vegetarianism then , we may fairly set up one expectation derived from nature as the unerring guide. On observing the habits of animals we we discover other natural fact. We find the animals of quite different natures in respect to primitive selection of food, possess the power of changing their modes of feeding and of passing over, as it were, from one class to another. This change is distinct but limited, we must accept it with all its extention on the other. The fruit eating ape can be thaught under privation to subsist on animal diet. But it would be impossible to teach a sheep to eat flesh as it would be to make Lion feed on grass.

These are the weapon used by primitive man.